Press release from Wellington International, edited by World of Showjumping

Hilary McNerney (USA) and her own Corlando (Corporal VDL x Laptop) took top honors in the $62,500 Chrome Horse Tequila CSI2* Grand Prix on Sunday to close out the fifth week of the 2026 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Running through March 29, WEF hosts 12 weeks of international competition at Wellington International.

With previous podium finishes coming this season, McNerney has been chasing a blue ribbon, and it finally came when she bested the 13 other jump-off contenders over 2024 Paris Olympic Games course designer Gregory Bodo’s (FRA) track. McNerney stopped the clock at 35.25, with Juan Manuel Gallego (ESP) right behind her on Leoro Horse Sales’s Oriana Van’t Ruytershof (Vigo d'Arsouilles x Bamako de Muze), a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, at 36.52 seconds.

Completing the podium at 36.87 seconds was USA’s Alison Robitaille aboard her own Claire De Lune 33, an 11-year-old Holsteiner mare by Clarimo Ask x Caretino.

“The wins don’t come easy in this sport, but they are worth it. I felt like we grew from our last jump-off, and our turns were much better. I was proud of him for staying with me the whole time,” said the Florida Native.

Previously ridden by Hunter Holloway for the Bluman family, Corlando came under the direction of McNerney after being told by her coach Kent Farrington, that the horse would be a good fit for her. McNerney fell in love within the first ride, and they have been growing as a pair since. “We got him from Hunter, and she did a great job of developing him. She did some two stars on him, so I was able to do this because of her—she did all that."

“I really liked him the minute I sat on him. He’s very much game, super competitive and wants to win and be clear, which is great,” said McNerney of the gelding’s previous rider and abilities in the ring.

Training with World No. 2 and with more experience riding stallions, McNerney is learning to balance the ride of the smaller-framed Corlando. “I’ve never quite had a horse like that. Being a taller person, I don’t go for a small horse balance-wise. Stallions tend to have bigger steps, so I’m more used to that, but I’m always up for the challenge, and it’s always good to learn how to ride every type of horse.”

Intending to work on consistency and to keep a steady pace throughout the two-star competitions at WEF with hopes to move up as they progress, McNerney stated, “He’s great, he gets me in the ring, and he makes me really competitive.”